Big Country Support the Troops

The Big Country Support the Troops was created to raise public awareness and to provide a way for individuals, corporations and others to recognize and support our military past, present and future with a special emphasis on those severely wounded and disabled Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans and their families.

It all started in the summer of 2006. Charles Byrn and Terrance Thomas both felt a need to get the community to show some support to the military and their families for the sacrifice they make.

Charles Byrn, who served in the Navy, was tired of hearing so much negative feed back in the news each and every day from politicians and everyday citizens. Charles is a man that puts in time for his community, and through this he knew that he could also be a coordinator and make something happen. It’s apparent that he must  be a man of action, because he wanted more than complaining, he wanted something to be done.

Terrance Thomas was a McMurry University Freshman at the time and he wanted to get the community involved in showing support for the military as well. He believed that when all of the politics are taken out, we are left with a whole bunch of brave men and women that put their lives on the line for us. He wanted the military to know that the big country is still here to show support regardless of what’s on the news.

“Nothing is really special about Charles and I” said Terrance. “It’s just that we were ignited with a passion. That is exactly what kept us going through the summer of 2006 when we both decided to put the Support the Troops Rally together at Nelson Park September the seventh.”  Starting something for the first time is not an easy task when you have no experience and no record of success. Charles and Terrance both went to different people that owned businesses and asked for their support. Some said no, and others were skeptical but many eventually jumped on board for the cause. Before the duo knew it, the day of the event came, and the Support the Troops Rally had free food, a live band from McMurry University, a rock-climbing wall that the Army brought out and operated. Pepsi provided drinks, ice cream from Dairy Queen was given away, Warren Cat provided Generators, gifts from McDonalds were raffled away, Chili’s had gift certificates, Harden Simmons gave a box of stuff, there was a performance by the Dyess Honor Guard, and so much more.

Some of the community leaders came out to give the military praise. Susan King, the current state representative was present, the head of the political science department at ACU Dr. Mel Hailey, and Col. Timothy Ray; the new base commander at Dyess. Because Dr. Bob Hunter had given so many years of service to the Abilene Community during his terms as the State Representative, he was selected to receive a plaque at the Support the Troops Rally for his commitment to serving the Abilene community.

After billboards, public service announcements, posters, and TV commercials, all advertising the Support the Troops Rally, the event had a turn out of about 900 on the big day. People brought lawn chairs to Nelson Park and some sat in the grass as they watched the band play. Kids ran around and climbed up the wall.

Charles and Terrance gave each other a high five of gratitude because they accomplished their goal. They managed to get the big country together for a common cause; to show how much the Big Country appreciates the gift of Freedom. Now they have made it a yearly event that is growing every year.

Written by Craig Colton

They have many programs, i.e. adopt a soldier, blankets of hope, etc.

Visit their website at www.soldiersangels.org